Dreaming Stories to light up Wodonga landmark during NAIDOC Week

Dreaming Stories, a digital installation by First Nations Artist Glenny Briggs, will be projected onto Hyphen’s cantilever windows during NAIDOC Week.

“I was so pleased that Hyphen asked to use that installation to show over NAIDOC Week,” Briggs said. 

“It will show the wider community that First Nations people are still strong in their culture and have a lot of stories to share.

“My artworks are mainly based around my cultural and family histories and First Nations issues.

“There is a very strong connection to country, which often shows through my art.”

Briggs’ tribal affiliations are Yorta Yorta / Taungurung and Wiradjuri.

“I was born and grew up on my father’s land of the Yorta Yorta people on a First Nations Mission called Cummeragunja,” she said.

“I moved from the Gold Coast to Albury/Wodonga in 2020 to take up the position as First Nations Curator for Murray Art to establish a new venue and run the Burraja Gallery in Albury.

“My Great Grandmother was born in Albury. She was a Wiradjuri woman whose family came from Central NSW. I believe she called me back.”

This artwork was created as an entry to Beechworth Biennale, with the idea to show how each of us were connected to the land and environment around us.

“Our Dreaming stories tell us how we and this land came to be and the lore that gave us a place. A lore that laid down the responsibilities of each of us to follow,” she said.

“It is when we become disconnected with everything around us that the earth becomes unhealthy.

“Each of us, from people, animals, plants, landforms, and waterways need the connectedness for the Earth to sustain us. The connectedness to all things as First Nations people is our way of being.”

Briggs had never completed a video installation before, so she reached out to friends Susan Reid and Penelope McGufficke, who had experience with digital programs, to help.

At the moment she is working with Murray Arts to establish a standalone First Nations Art space.

“I strongly believe that the First Nations artists of Albury/Wodonga and surrounding districts need this space to create and voice their culture on a visual platform that is governed by them,” she said.

NAIDOC week celebrates the rich and diverse cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.

This year’s theme is “Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud & Proud", honouring the enduring strength and vitality of First Nations culture.

Dreaming Stories by Glenny Briggs will be shown from Monday, July 8 to Monday, July 15 from 5.30pm to 10.30pm on the Hyphen cantilever windows.